A caiman is a reptile that belongs to the subfamily Caimaninae, one of two primary lineages within the Alligatoridae family, the other being alligators. They are most closely related to alligators and share many similar characteristics with them. Caimans inhabit Mexico and Central & South America, from marshes and swamps to mangrove rivers and lakes. They are amphibious carnivores that live along the edges of rivers and other bodies of water, and they reproduce by means of hard-shelled eggs laid in nests built and guarded by the female. Some key features of caimans include:
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Scaly skin: Caimans have scaly skin that is covered in calcium rivets, which make their hides stiffer.
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No bony septum: Caimans lack a bony septum between the nostrils, which distinguishes them from alligators.
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Ventral armor: Caimans have ventral armor composed of overlapping bony scutes formed from two parts united by a suture.
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Longer and sharper teeth: Caimans have longer and sharper teeth than alligators, and tend to be more agile and crocodile-like in their movements.
Caimans are formidable predators that hunt and consume a wide variety of animal matter, including fish, crustaceans, and other small-sized aquatic animals, as well as birds, amphibians, and small mammals. They are apex predators, like alligators and crocodiles, and are known to be hunted by wild cats, birds of prey, snakes, and omnivorous mammals such as wild pigs. The conservation status of caimans is classified as least concern by the IUCN, although historically they were considered endangered and near to extinction due to hunting for their scales and skin.
